Walk the Walk

So I've been talking a lot and writing a lot in my journal and in letters about discipline and grace.
I picked up this book back in April @ Cornerstone church with friends called "The Discipline of Grace" by Jerry Bridges. The subtitle? "God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness." And if this sounds like something I wouldn't typically read, then you are correct. Lutherans are all about the grace. All about it being what GOD does and not what we DO. We can't earn our way into God's favor and love. And while I don't agree with every piece of theology in the book, I'm finding it is beautifully paired with my Systematic Theology class and my Jesus and the Gospels class.

Most especially, the method of theology called praxis method. As I understand it, its how you put your theology into practice. Doing something with it instead of the opposite end of the spectrum where you sit on your ass all day in a room with other brains and think about shit. While I hope that will never be the case with my own theology, I can tell you countless others have gone astray. It doesn't help the church.

And then there are the four gospel stories. And though we saw Jesus in the temple, philosophizing and coming up with riddles to make us think, we also saw Jesus eating dinner with tax collectors and the poor. Out healing. Out teaching. Out doing things. But I don't want to negate time spent in the temple, arguing with other leaders about the important issues. I just think that there's a balance.

We talk in seminary about pastors who are generally the sort to be found in their office and those who are generally never found in their office. There are upsides and downsides to both. Most obviously, if you only sit in your office, you aren't visiting the hospital, being in the community outside the church, etc. But then again, if you aren't in your office, there are fewer opportunities for *knock, knock* "Um.. pastor? You got a minute?" So again, there's a line to walk. It'll be fun to find it.

So with all these fine lines that I imagine I'll spend the rest of my life navigating... I find they seem to be nuances of that first one, discipline and grace. How much do we have to sit down and realize that it isn't up to us? How much do we need a poker at our side telling us that God wants us to use these hands, this voice, that talent or skill?

And honestly, even the things of ministry that are FOR God and our relationship with him take discipline. Getting a book and bible out to do a devotion (I don't)? Remembering to actually pray for that person you said you'd pray for (I forget)? Not falling asleep during your evening prayers (guilty!)? And for me, it's also going to chapel, going to class, and the NEVER simple task of getting out of bed in the morning. It takes MY work, not all God's. There are all kinds of "but" statements I could throw in here but I think I'll leave it at that. Because today, I think I need the reminder that I have two hands that work and a heart that beats (and perhaps also because I know at the core of my being that I have a God who loves me just as I am??).

Be blessed.